ACADEMIC RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT AWARD

AREA (R15)http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/area.htm

Paula FlickerPhone: 301-594-0828

E-Mail: flickerp@nigms.nih.gov

Program DirectorNational Institute of General Medical Sciences

NIH-DHHS

Office of the DirectorOffice of the Director

National Instituteon Alcohol Abuseand Alcoholism

National Instituteon Alcohol Abuseand Alcoholism

National Instituteof Arthritis andMusculoskeletal

and Skin Diseases

National Instituteof Arthritis andMusculoskeletal

and Skin Diseases

National CancerInstitute

National CancerInstitute

National Instituteof Diabetes andDigestive and

Kidney Diseases

National Instituteof Diabetes andDigestive and

Kidney Diseases

National Instituteof Dental andCraniofacial

Research

National Instituteof Dental andCraniofacial

Research

National Instituteon Drug Abuse

National Instituteon Drug Abuse

National Instituteof Environmental Health Sciences

National Instituteof Environmental Health Sciences

National Instituteon Aging

National Instituteon Aging

National Instituteof Child Health

and HumanDevelopment

National Instituteof Child Health

and HumanDevelopment

National Institute onDeafness and Other

CommunicationDisorders

National Institute onDeafness and Other

CommunicationDisorders

National EyeInstitute

National EyeInstitute

National HumanGenome Research

Institute

National HumanGenome Research

Institute

National Heart,Lung, and Blood

Institute

National Heart,Lung, and Blood

Institute

National Instituteof Mental Health

National Instituteof Mental Health

National Instituteof NeurologicalDisorders and

Stroke

National Instituteof NeurologicalDisorders and

Stroke

National Instituteof General

Medical Sciences

National Instituteof General

Medical Sciences

National Instituteof Nursing Research

National Instituteof Nursing Research

National Libraryof Medicine

National Libraryof Medicine

Center forScientific

Review

Center forScientific

Review

Center forInformationTechnology

Center forInformationTechnology

National Centerfor Complementary

and AlternativeMedicine

National Centerfor Complementary

and AlternativeMedicine

National Instituteof Allergy and

Infectious Diseases

National Instituteof Allergy and

Infectious Diseases

FogartyInternational

Center

FogartyInternational

Center

National Centerfor ResearchResources

National Centerfor ResearchResources

National Institutes of National Institutes of HealthHealth

Clinical Center

Clinical Center

National Center on Minority Health andHealth Disparities

National Center on Minority Health andHealth Disparities

National Institute of Biomedical Imagingand Bioengineering

National Institute of Biomedical Imagingand Bioengineering

House Committee Report 98-911 FY1985Establishment of the AREA Program

• Nevertheless, it appears that ... the larger universe of smaller, less prominent four year, public and private colleges and universities, which provide undergraduate training for a significant number of our nation’s research scientists have not shared adequately in the growth of the NIH extramural program. Relatively few large research universities receive what many consider to be a disproportionate share of NIH research and training dollars.

• Another portion of these funds should be used to develop research in other institutions which offer undergraduate or graduate degrees in the sciences related to health but which historically have not been major participants in NIH programs.

ACADEMIC RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT AWARDAREA or R15 Program

http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/area.htm

• Strengthening the research environment at institutions that are not research intensive

• Exposing students, especially undergraduates, at such institutions to biomedical and behavioral research

• Providing support for meritorious research at these institutions

NIH AREA or R15 FEATURES

• Eligible institutions with less than $3M total cost in NIH support in each of 4 or more of the last 7 years (most R, P, M, S, K, U grants)

• Applications with standard page limits reviewed by the five NIH review criteria and by the R15 goals

• RENEWABLE RESEARCH Mechanism• Three receipt dates per year:

February 25, June 25, and October 25

NIH AREA or R15 Features (2)

• Only ONE AREA grant at a time per Investigator

• No active NIH research grant at the time of award or start date of the AREA

• No duplicate applications for the same project in the same NIH review cycle

• Majority of research should be done at the home institution

• R15 grants eligible for administrative supplements for under-represented students

NIH AREA OR R15 FUNDING

• Multi-year Funding

• R15 is a RESEARCH grant, not training

• $150,000 Total Direct Cost for up to three years plus negotiated Facilities & Administrative Costs (F&A)

• Specific funds at NIH Institutes and Centers for the AREA Program

• Success rates for AREA applications is competitive

AREA (R15) Awards - 2005 IC # Reviewed # Awarded Total Amount SRNIGMS 142 49 $10,196,158 35%NHLBI 43 21 $ 4,191,938 49%NCI 59 20 $ 4,033,242 34% NIAID 74 19 $ 3,771,145 26%NINR 64 15 $ 3,320,523 23%NIA 37 12 $ 2,250,420 32%NINDS 41 11 $ 2,349,337 27%NIDDK 38 10 $ 1,823,511 26%NIEHS 17 9 $ 1,778.121 53%NICHD 36 7 $ 1,387,215 19%Other ICs (11) 110 24 $ 4,639,166 -Totals 661 197 $39,740,776 29%

PROCESS FOR NIH APPLICATIONS PRE-SUBMISSION (1)

• Have an important research question or hypothesis to test; the data should be potentially significant

• Request frank opinions about a 1-2 page summary or outline of your project before you write the full proposal

• Check CRISP databases for specific abstracts of NIH-funded grants in your area

• Generate preliminary data in own lab to show expertise, feasibility, and institutional resources and support

CRISP Computer Retrieval of Information on

Scientific Projectshttp://crisp.cit.nih.gov/

• Provides PI name, e-mail, address, project title, abstract, funding NIH institute or federal agency, and review panel

• Search by keyword, investigator name, award type, grant number, review panel, state, institution, research area , NIH institute or center, and scientific review group

USE CRISP TO ANSWER:

• What projects and which investigators are funded in your research area?

• Which NIH institutes support projects in your research area?

• Which NIH study sections reviewed this research area?

• What projects and which investigators are funded in your home state?

PROCESS FOR NIH APPLICATIONS PRE-SUBMISSION (2)

• Understand and address the five NIH review criteria: SIGNIFICANCE, APPROACH, INNOVATION, INVESTIGATOR, ENVIRONMENT

• Abstract and Specific Aims pages are the most read so make sure these are strong

• Request substantive letters from collaborators and consultants

• Address any additional criteria for use of animal or human subjects, model organism sharing and release of data, etc.

• Follow guidelines of the funding agency

REVISING NIH APPLICATIONS PRE-SUBMISSION

• Understand the reviewers’ concerns• Respond constructively to each concern with

stronger data and rationale• Fully use the 3 page INTRODUCTION• Give the bottom line response or answer in

the Introduction and the full response in the appropriate section

• Previous summary statement is included with your revised application for reviewers

Facilities and Other Resources- Specific requirements for AREA

• A profile of available students and outcomes (degree and graduate school)

• special characteristics of the school/academic component that make it appropriate for an AREA grant

• Brief description of resources that will be used at another institution, if relevant

• statement of institutional support for the proposed research project , if relevant

AREA GRANT - SUGGESTIONS(from your lab)

• Training component – undergraduate trainees who enter graduate school

• Publications include students as authors

• Meeting abstracts include students as presenters or attendees

• Students enter major research institutions

• Collaborations with established NIH PIs

Evaluation of Research Applications

• In their written critiques, reviewers will be asked to comment on each of the following criteria in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals.

• Each of these criteria will be addressed and considered in assigning the overall score, weighing them as appropriate for each application.

• An investigator may propose to carry out important work that by its nature is not innovative but is essential to move a field forward.

THE FIVE NIH REVIEW CRITERIA FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS

• SIGNIFICANCE

• APPROACH

• INNOVATION

• INVESTIGATORS

• ENVIRONMENT

SIGNIFICANCE• Does this study address an important

problem?

• If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge or clinical practice be advanced?

• What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventive interventions that drive the field?

APPROACH (1)

• Are the conceptual or clinical framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well-integrated, well reasoned, and appropriate to the aims of the project?

• Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics?

APPROACH (2)

• For applications designating multiple PD/PIs, is the leadership approach, including the designated roles and responsibilities, governance and organizational structure consistent with and justified by the aims of the project and the expertise of each of the PD/PIs?

INNOVATION

• Is the project original and innovative? For example: Does the project challenge existing paradigms or clinical practice; address an innovative hypothesis or critical barrier to progress in the field?

• Does the project develop or employ novel concepts, approaches, methodologies, tools, or technologies for this area?

INVESTIGATOR(S)• Are the PD/PIs and other key personnel

appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work?

• Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level(s) of the PD/PI(s) and other researchers?

• Do the PD/PI(s) and the investigative team bring complementary and integrated expertise to the project (if applicable)?

ENVIRONMENT

• Do(es) the scientific environment(s) in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success?

• Do the proposed studies benefit from unique features of the scientific environment(s), or subject populations, or employ useful collaborative arrangements?

• Is there evidence of institutional support?

R15 SPECIFIC REVIEW CRITERIA

• INVESTIGATOR: Is the principal investigator’s experience appropriate for supervising available students in research?

• ENVIRONMENT: Assess the suitability of the applicant school/academic component for an award in terms of the likely impact that an award will have on strengthening the research environment and exposing available students to research.

Cover Letter for your Application

• The Division of Receipt and Referral at the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) will make two assignments for your applications– An NIH Institute or Center (IC) for funding

consideration– A study section panel for review

• Include a COVER LETTER with the following:– Research goals and hypotheses/questions– Biological system or model used– Methods and approaches proposed– Areas of review expertise (NOT names)– Potential conflicts (include names and reason)

AREA Application Receipt, Referral and Review: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.html

ACTIONS ON APPLICATIONS

CYCLE I CYCLE II CYCLE III

R15 APPLICATION RECEIPT DATES AT

CSR

February 25 June 25 October 25

INITIAL REVIEW BY CSR SCIENTIFIC

REVIEW GROUPS

June-July October-November

February-March

SECONDARY REVIEW BY IC

ADVISORY COUNCIL

September-October

January-February

May-June

EARLIEST START DATE FOR IC

FUNDING

December-January

April-May July-August

Cycle ICycle I Cycle IICycle II Cycle IIICycle III

Submissions:Submissions: May 1May 1 Sept 1Sept 1 Jan. 2Jan. 2

Review:Review: Jun./Jul.Jun./Jul. Oct./Nov.Oct./Nov. Feb./Feb./Mar.Mar.

Council:Council: Sep./Oct.Sep./Oct. Jan./Feb.Jan./Feb. May/Jun.May/Jun.

Award:Award: Dec./Jan.Dec./Jan. Apr./MayApr./May Jul./Aug.Jul./Aug.

AIDS AIDS Related R15 Application TimelineRelated R15 Application Timeline

PROCESS FOR NIH APPLICATIONS POST-SUBMISSION AND PRE-REVIEW

Submission of Updates or Additional Material for Your Application

• SRA determines acceptability of updates • Accepted manuscripts • Crucial preliminary data generated

after submission, showing feasibility• Be sure these additional data are strong• Submit updates electronically, if possible

PROCESS FOR NIH APPLICATIONS POST-AWARD

• Notice of grant award: $, yrs, and names of program staff and grants management staff

• Annual Progress Reports: electronic report• No Cost Extension: for one year to complete

specific aims and to spend remaining funds; sometimes a 2nd NCE may be approved

• Final Reports required for termination of award: final status report, invention report, and research progress report

PA-05-015: Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research-1

• Administrative supplements to support and recruit underrepresented high school students, college undergraduates, post-BS/BA, post-MS/MA, postdoctorates and eligible investigators

• Underrepresented candidates must be U.S. citizens or non-citizen nationals or permanent residents (Green Card holders)

• All NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) participate• Supplement must support research within scope

of specific aims

Center for Scientific Review Divisions

• Division of Molecular & Cellular Mechanisms – Biological Chemistry & Macromolecular Biophysics– Biology of Development & Aging– Bioengineering Sciences & Technologies– Cell Biology– Genes, Genomes & Genetics– Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Neuroscience

• Division of Clinical & Population-Based Studies– Division of Clinical & Population-Based Studies– Biobehavioral & Behavioral Processes– Brain Disorders & Clinical Neuroscience– Health of the Population (epidemiology, nursing, social science)– Risk Prevention & Health Behavior– Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging & Bioengineering

Center for Scientific Review Divisions

• Division of Biologic Basis of Disease– AIDS & Related Research– Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition & Reproductive Sciences– Infectious Diseases & Microbiology– Immunology– Oncological Sciences

• Division of Physiology & Pathology– Cardiovascular Sciences– Digestive Sciences– Hematology– Integrative, Functional & Cognitive Neuroscience– Musculoskeletal, Oral & Skin Diseases– Respiratory Sciences– Renal & Urological Sciences

Information on the AREA Home Page http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/area.htm

• R15 Program Guidelines & Deadlines• List of Schools/Components Currently Ineligible to

Apply for AREA Grants• Application Form and Instructions• AREA FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions• Modular Grant Application and Award Procedures• Persons to Contact about AREA Funding

Opportunities• Link to Research Supplements to Promote Diversity

in Health-Related Research• Review Criteria for AREA Applications• List of individual AREA Grants Awarded (by Fiscal

Year and then by State & Institution)• Success Rates for AREA Applications, FY 1985-2004

THE NIH APPLICATION PROCESS

Grant Writing Tips:http://grants.nih.gov/grants/grant_tips.htm

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about NIH Grants: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/giofaq.htm

SF424 (R&R) Application and Electronic Submission Information NIH http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm

NIH Modular Grant: Q&A, Sample Budget and Biosketch:http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm

NIH COMMONS for Scores, Summary Statements, & Other Actionshttp://commons.era.nih.gov/commons/

REMEMBER TO:

• Get feedback early on a 1-2 page outline• Understand the review criteria of the funding

agency and follow the specific guidelines• Make it easy for reviewers to be excited and

supportive of your clearly written proposal on a significant and important research project

• Respond thoroughly to all the review comments in the Introduction to your NIH revised application

• Be rigorous, persistent, and enthusiastic about your research